USA > New York > Niagara County > History of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels : Niagara University, Niagara County, N.Y., 1856-1906 > Part 26
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plete were we to neglect mention in our pages of those silent and saintly helpers, the Brothers of our Congregation. We cannot enu- merate them by name, for often they have hidden their family identity under a name assumed at their entrance to the religious life. Neither have they appeared in our annual catalogue with the Professors of the house, or in our records, or our local paper, except when the time had come to append a requiescat to their hidden but effective life work. They have been, indeed, Brothers Coadjutors, or Helpers, and very much of what may be called the glory of Niag- ara's record for the past half century belongs to them by reason of their patient toil, without which many a brilliant project here devised would have had only an abortive ending.
By the profession which they make, by the religious instinct with- in them, they crave permission to spend their lives in the " sweat of the face," asking only as compensation that they may toil within sight of God's sanctuary, ministering to His priests as Martha min- istered unto Jesus. There is a quiet heroism in this hidden consecra- tion, shorn as it is of all notice such as the sisterhood receives when it quits the world, or the priest receives by virtue of his calling long after he has pronounced those vows which remove him from the world, that he may labor in it for the salvation of souls.
The priest is in the world, though not of it, while the brother, such at least as we have known him at Niagara, lives his life as secluded as the hermits of old. It is not rule so much as inclination which forces him to this retired manner of existence. Adopting com- munity life at an age much riper than that which marks the advent of those destined for the sanctuary, the brothers, as a rule, have had experience enough of secular life to make the monotony of their com- munity occupations a most acceptable form of living.
A spirit of friendliness and yet a spirit of reverence for our brothers has been a chief characteristic among Niagara students. By reason of their duties the brothers are often brought into contact with the students, and it is only natural that a sort of friendship should thus spring up between them. Good natured chaff, or tricks, or a little teasing, such as our study hall boys, from their excess of animal spirits, are bound to exercise toward all the help around the college, does not make them forget that our brothers are consecrated to God by their vows, and are to be respected as members of our Com- munity. The brothers, in turn, are fond of our college lads, indul- gent of their boyish ways, even though the brother cook may chase
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them from the kitchen, or the brother gardener may debar them from our orchards, or the brother vinedresser may have a watch dog as big as a Saratoga trunk,-and just as harmless.
In the earliest days of our college history mention is made of a Brother John and a Brother Flory, the former of whom, however, seems to have been an oblate, that is, a domestic working without a stipulated salary. We have had several such at Niagara, notably John Kane, who remained here for twenty years, and whose body lies among those of our Community in our family cemetery. Mr. Miller, or " Brother John," as he was called, and Brother Flory were team- sters, devoted to their work, no doubt, but not over skilled with the reins, it would seem, since the former was dumped out of his wagon on the railroad track at the Falls, and the latter, with a load of desks, came near tumbling with his entire outfit over the river bank near the seminary. Of course, the boys hastened to his rescue, unharnessed the horses, plagued the discomfited teamster, and galloped the fright- ened steeds to the barn, forgetting that the load of desks had not been delivered to its destination.
A picturesque character, though neither oblate nor brother, and therefore, perhaps, not strictly in line for present mention, was Niagara's watchman, Paddy Mckeon, resident here in the late '60's, and early "70's. His brindle dog, his lantern with its bright light obscured by fumes from his dudheen, his trips through the dormi- tories, his trick of dropping plugs of the forbidden weed close to the place where the right collateral had been deposited, will readily spring up in the minds of our old-time students at mention of his name. When he was " on duty," he felt that the safety of the entire house- hold was in his hands, as certainly it was. When he was off duty, and duty required him to be at his post, his faithful dog would go the rounds in quest of possible trouble, and then would go in quest of "Paddy " as if to report that all was well " along the Niagara."
The Brothers Moran, Brothers Ryan, Zambuloni, Piscari, Dixon, Hugh, Lawrence of the vineyard, Tom of the dormitories, Dennis of no place in particular, with oblates " Hipscrew" who sawed our wood, old-man Joyce, who was once a prime stone mason, and in his feeble days toyed with a broom in our corridors, rather than eat idle bread- these may not be names to conjure with, but these men are as land- marks in our history, and so they go down " with the best of us " in the records of the institution which they served.
And as we are in a reminiscent mood, why not step over to the
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laundry, not as it is, but as it used to be, when brave John Casey filled the tubs by hand, and his Christian wife gave cookies to our hungry boys, who stopped in after a five-mile walk just to say, " Hello, Mrs. Casey!"
It is only a stone's throw from the laundry to the milk house, ad- joining our barns, where Tim O'Brien was king supreme over cattle of plebian pedigree but bountiful yield. His wife had worry over two things: lest our butter crocks should become empty, and her son, Tim, junior, should never graduate from dictation. We are happy to state that the son of this good, faithful domestic is a respected citizen in the lower part of New York State, reflecting in a larger sphere than formerly the virtues of his simple, industrious parents.
Niagara's old chef de cuisine, " Johnny Mutter," with his mince pie "aere perennius," deserves honorable mention for his long and faithful service. He analyzed the taste of Niagara's students, and reduced his recipes to a fine art, in the case of his pies a lost art for a while, until " Johnny Quinn," his understudy, became regent at the pastry desk. Mr. Mutter and wife are now living in Gardenville, N. Y.
There was a time when the word of " Boss Cunningham " was law all over our three hundred acres," when " John Grey " could stop night study by shutting off the gas, when "Mr. Edwards," our patrician bootmaker, " held the soles of his patrons to the very last." These men have gone, and with them much of the picturesque in our earlier college life. Their successors are too near the foreground for satisfactory perspective, so we leave them to be embalmed in local history by our chroniclers of fifty years hence.
The Brothers Coadjutors now attached to Niagara have been here, as a rule, for a great number of years, for, unlike the priests of the house, they are not moved frequently from one mission to another. Brother Patrick Hennelly, C. M., has been here for forty years, and although he has now no specified work, he has a past record for industry, having been baker at the college for many years. Ill health has placed him on the retired list, so that he has nothing to do but " make his soul."
Brother Patrick O'Connor, C. M., has been here a quarter of a century, working almost as hard to-day as when he came up to us from Germantown, and tilled our acres for a while almost single- handed. He has charge of our vineyard, and what he does not know about vines and phylloxera will not be missed from any practical treatise on the culture of the grape.
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It is about twelve years since Brother Daniel Mahoney, C. M., cook, poultry man, assistant postmaster and all around jobber, came to Niagara. He is an emergency man, and therefore of great value in an institution like ours where domestics sometimes grow tired before they have finished their work in the kitchen, for instance, leav- ing the pot boiling but unwatched. Brother Dan comes to the rescue, and peace is maintained throughout our realm of study.
Brother Sinon O'Day, C. M., dropped his hammer at the forge, for he is an accomplished blacksmith, to don the habit of our Com- munity helpers, and to work, as all of them do, at any task assigned them by their Superior. It is quite a stretch from making horse- shoes to making beds, but Brother Sinon can do both with neatness, and also with despatch, whenever a "hurry order " is served upon him. Our brothers, however, have not been educated to the feverish ways of the world in the accomplishment of their daily tasks. They believe in Rome's motto -festina lente ("take your time ")- and are in thorough accord with Solomon, that all things have their sea- son.
The best exponent, by the way, of this "Christian Philosophy " was Brother Daniel Kearns, C. M., once chief carpenter in our manual training school adjoining our electric plant, but now num- bered among Niagara's dead over by the " Sacred Grounds." Hav- ing consented to make a footstool for one of the Faculty, a job which could be done in two hours, the brother was interviewed by the Professor, after the latter had waited about two weeks for the promised article. " Brother," said the priest, " you are taking a long time to make my footstool." "A long time?" queried the brother, with a humorous twinkle in his eyes; "remember I'm not working for time but for eternity."
Brother Stephen, C. M., here since last September, though un- acquainted with Niagara ways prior to his coming, has fallen into line with an earnestness which promises well for our problem on economics in relation to the kitchen. He, like all our brothers, feels that our interests are his own - for we are a Community, and in order to be successful in our purposes we must co-operate with each other, taking on individual concern for whatever affects the general body. The fidelity which has characterized our lay brothers in this respect deserves for them, at least as we, their Community brethren, view the matter, the extended and affectionate notice accorded them in our concluding pages on Niagara's Presidents and their associates.
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ALUMNI BISHOPS
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1
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ARY
OF
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LIBI
UNION THEOLOGICAL
* SEMINARY,
NEW YORK.
d
RIGHT REV. JAMES J. HARTLEY. D. D. Bishop of Columbus
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CHAPTER XXI RT. REV. JAMES J. HARTLEY, D. D., 1883.
A GREAT honor has again been conferred on Niagara's Alumni. One of her loyal sons has been chosen by the Holy See to be the spiritual head of one of the most rapidly growing dioceses in the State of Ohio. Some time ago the news came that Rev. James J. Hartley of Steubenville was chosen to be Bishop of Columbus. Mes- sages of congratulation poured in from every side, from many of the alumni, and from "Old Niagara " herself, and there was universal joy that such a capable man was selected to be the shepherd of so many of the faithful.
Bishop Hartley came to Niagara in 1879, and was a student within these walls for three years, being ordained by the late Bishop Watterson in 1882. During his course here he was especially noted for his piety and the devotion and zeal he manifested in serving at the altars. He fully realized the dignity of the priesthood and looked upon the seminary as a place to acquire the virtues, the piety, and the learning which are so essentially requisite to sustain the heavy burdens which the priest is called upon to bear. He was naturally brilliant and of such a kindly disposition that he made friends wherever he went. Not only that, but he knew well how to retain a friend when he found one.
Immediately after his ordination he was assigned to Steubenville, and he has been there ever since, laboring for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Under his skillful management the parish flourished, and he built up the beautiful church which is the pride of the city, the admiration of all who see it, and a creditable temple for the worship of Almighty God. The grand co-operation of the priest and his people has produced most magnificent results, and now, after twenty-two years of earnest work in the vineyard of the Lord, the good priest had been raised by God to the episcopal dignity - an honor which his humility and charity will bear with becoming grace. Though the people of Steubenville have lost their pastor, he has by no means become a stranger to them, for as Bishop he will be inter- ested as much as ever in his former parishioners, and his unceasing labors will extend over his whole diocese.
Bishop Hartley is placed over a diocese numbering fifty-six thousand Catholic souls, and he has subject to him eighty-three secu-
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lar priests, whose devotion and loyalty to their Bishop and to one another have received most favorable comment from all sides. Many of them, as the Bishop himself, once graced Niagara with their pres- ence, and they indeed feel especially joyful that one who is an alum- nus of the same institution as themselves is now their spiritual head.
The consecration of Bishop Hartley took place on the 25th of February, 1904, in the church which he himself had built. Numerous prelates and clergymen were present from many parts of the United States, Niagara being represented by Rev. E. J. Quinn, C. M., Vice- President, and Rev. E. M. Farrell, C. M.
Bishop Hartley was born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 26th of June, 1858. His early education was obtained in Saint Patrick's parochial school, Columbus, and then at Saint Aloysius' Academy, and while a student there he determined to devote his life to the service of God. He entered Saint Michael's College, Toronto, Canada, and in Sep- tember, 1879, came to Niagara as a theological student. Having com- pleted his course, he was ordained on July 10, 1882. While acting as assistant in Saint Peter's parish, Steubenville, he saw the need of a new parish for this rapidly growing city, and through his intervention the present parish of the Holy Name was founded and he was made its pastor. There were few members belonging to it, and these were not blessed with a great amount of worldly goods. Nothing daunted, and with faith in God, he built a temporary frame church, and when the time was ripe he erected the present beautiful edifice. When the church was completed he immediately began the erection of his school and convent. Notwithstanding the poverty of his parish, Bishop Hartley leaves the Steubenville church property clear of debt. It is a grand monument to his energy, his zeal, his executive ability, and most of all an example of his faith in the Master he serves. At the laying of the corner stone of his church he was honored by being made irremovable rector.
The consecration ceremony was performed by Most Rev. Henry M. Moeller, D. D., Archbishop of Cincinnati. There were present also nine Bishops and over one hundred and twenty-five priests. The ceremonies were the most beautiful ever seen in that diocese, and all the citizens of Steubenville showed their joy and appreciation by closing all places of business during the day.
Bishop Hartley arrived in Columbus on March 1st, amid the universal joy of his people. The demonstration accorded him proves that he comes to a loyal people, a Catholic people, and a people who will most cordially co-operate with him in whatever he undertakes.
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The Church throughout the United States now turns its attention to the diocese of Columbus and watches with interest to see the strides it will take under the guidance of him who has accomplished almost miraculous labors in the past.
As an evidence of the respect and esteem in which Bishop Hartley is held, we quote from the Steubenville Record-Herald
" He is honest, earnest, and faithful in his belief and in the discharge of his religious duties, and a total abstainer. On the altar he preaches scholarly sermons, elegant as to diction, but with a directness that bespeaks his conviction and honesty of purpose in whatever he says, and he always says what is in his heart. But above all, and beyond all - he is modest, never seeking praise for the work he has done, never seeking self-glorification, but always endeavoring to keep in the background and let the faithful few who followed and helped take the credit. To that fact every newspaper man in Steu- benville will bear testimony."
That Bishop Hartley may be spared for a long time in the per- formance of his new labors ; that he may succeed in the future, build- ing up the kingdom of God, as he has in the past; that his rule may be peaceful and happy in the enjoyment of all the blessings shared by a bountiful Providence, are the earnest prayers of his Alma Mater and her alumni, East and West.
Among those who were present at the consecration we note the following alumni: From Ohio, Revs. C. A. Mulhearn, 1889, Martin's Ferry; W. McDermott, 1887, Dansville; J. T. McNally, 1883, Toronto; J. J. McCann, 1887, Ironton; C. J. Hahne, 1883, Cin- cinnati; P. M. Heery, 1871, Dennisonville ; E. P. Hickey, 1880, Mid- dletown; F. W. Howard, 1888, Columbus; A. E. Drufner, 1882, Cincinnati; A. A. Cush, 1888, New Lexington ; D. A. Coffey, 1899, Barnesville; D. A. Buckley, 1884, Springfield; T. A. Horan, 1900, Shawnee; T. A. Powers, 1890, Logan; R. Schwartz, 1898, Colum- bus, and J. B. Rooney, 1898, Zaleski. From Brooklyn, N. Y. : Revs. J. J. Durick, 1880; J. F. O'Hara, 1884; William McGuirl, 1885; J. J. Woods, 1874; C. McGuire, 1884; and J. T. Woods, 1883. Rev. W. J. Dullard, 1882, Mt. Carmel, Conn .- Index, March 1, 1904.
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RT. REV. THOMAS F. LILLIS, D. D., 1884. (From Niagara Index, December 15, 1904.)
Father Lillis is the recipient of the following self-explanatory letter :
Washington, D. C., Nov. 4th. APOSTOLIC DELEGATION.
Right Rev. Sir,- I have the pleasure of inclosing herewith the Pontifical Brief by which His Holiness appoints you Bishop of Leav- enworth. In sending you felicitations of the Most Eminent Cardinal Prefect of the Propaganda, I beg also to express my sincerest con- gratulations for the high dignity to which you have been elevated.
With sentiments of esteem, and fraternal charity, I remain, Most faithfully in Christ,
D. FALCONIO, Archbishop, Apostolic Delegation.
Thus has Niagara been once more recognized by the Holy See in the person of one of her distinguished alumni. This time the honors have fallen on the shoulders of a Western priest, who had labored long and faithfully in that portion of the Lord's vineyard embraced in the diocese of Kansas City, Mo. Niagara's alumni of the early '80's will remember Thomas F. Lillis as one of the most genial and studious inmates of our institution; and they will not be at all sur- prised at the information that he has been selected by the Sovereign Pontiff to succeed the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Fink, O. S. B., as Bishop of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Although his stay within these walls was a brief one, he endeared himself to all with whom he had aught to do, and from no place do more sincere congratulations flow to the new Bishop than from " Old Niagara." Bishop-elect Lillis has spent most of his life in Kansas City, and for the past fifteen years has been Vicar General of the diocese as well as pastor of Saint Patrick's Church, in both of which positions he has earned golden opinions from all classes, irrespective of religious affiliations.
Bishop Lillis is still in the prime of his life, being but forty-four years of age, and brings to his new duties a splendid training, wide and varied experience with remarkable executive ability. That his days as chief Pastor of Leavenworth may be many and fruitful is the earnest hope and prayer of Niagara, both past and present.
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RIGHT REV. THOMAS F. LILLIS, D. D. Bishop of Leavenworth
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NEW YORK
SEMINARY,
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CHAPTER XXII SODALITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
I T IS safe to say that quite from the beginning of our institution association of some kind was introduced among our students, the better to direct among them devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The fact that our college home was placed under the patronage of the Mother of God by men especially known for their devotion to Our Blessed Lady would seem to establish this fact without further inquiry. It was not, however, until 1864, eight years after Father Lynch had founded our institution, that any attempt at formal or- ganization was made. Indeed, it will be a surprise, perhaps, to many to learn that a sodality in honor of the Blessed Virgin was founded so early at Niagara. Yet here is the house record for the 21st of November, 1864: "Feast of the Presentation, Solemn Mass at 6. Celebrant, Father Rice. To-day was founded the Sodality of the B. V. M. under the title of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin and the patronage of Saint Vincent." In the earliest catalogue that we have been able to secure up to the present, that of 1868-1869, the " Society of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary " appears as having been organized May 4, 1868. If we had one of those catalogues which Father Asmuth distributed, together with a copy of the prospectus " to each of our 103 students before they left for home, June 30, 1863," we would probably find in it some society or other with devotion to Our Blessed Lady as the principal object.
Yet these organizations do not seem to have been sodalities in the canonical sense, so that the founding of the B. V. M. Sodality as it now exists among our students belongs to a later date, December 8, 1870. The catalogue for the scholastic year 1870-1871 has the fol- lowing announcement :
" Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Under the Title of the Immaculate Conception, and the Patronage of Saint Aloysius Gon- zaga. This Sodality was erected in the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 1870. Its organ- ization is in strict accordance with the requirements of the Sodality approved by Pope Gregory XIII., in 1584, which was enriched with most abundant indulgence by Pope Sixtus V., Gregory XV., Clement VIII., Benedict XIV., Clement XIII., Pius VII., etc. By aggrega-
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tion to the principal Sodality in Rome the members of the Sodality are in union with Sodalities throughout the whole world: thus com- municating with the most eminent personages of the Church, who have always considered it an honor to inscribe their names as mem- bers of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin. The officers are:
"Director (ex officio), Very Rev. Robert E. V. Rice, C. M .; prefect, N. H. Baker; first assistant, George Dunbar ; second assist- ant, D. Walsh; secretary, J. Leyden ; treasurer, T. J. Preston ; con- sultors, T. Bolger, J. McCaffrey, J. J. Hickey, N. McMenamin, C. J. Reilly, E. F. X. Moriarty ; music leader, P. J. Ahearn; regu- lator, J. Growney ; first sacristan, W. F. Markoe; second sacristan, T. F. Gregg; lectors, T. F. Cullen, H. Hesse, G. J. Dunbar, M. Salley, T. Bolger, P. J. Ahearn, J. Growney, J. Mallen.
"The officers for the second term were: Very Rev. R. E. V. Rice, C. M., director ; N. H. Baker, prefect ; M. A. Taylor, first as- sistant; D. Walsh, second assistant; secretary, J. Leyden; treas- urer, T. J. Preston ; consultors, T. Bolger, J. McCaffrey, J. J. Hickey, M. McMenamin, C. J. Reilly, W. F. Markoe; music leader, J. Growney ; regulator, E. F. X. Moriarty ; lectors, G. J. Dunbar, J. J. Ryan, J. J. Reilly, M. Salley, M. A. Taylor, T. Bolger, J. J. Mallen, J. C. Long; sacristans, F. Henneberry and J. J. Hanlon."
The recording of these names we consider among the important duties imposed upon us as historians of Niagara's fifty years in the educational field. Most of those mentioned became priests; many of them are yet living and working in God's vineyard for the glory of His name. Wherever they announce salvation through the name of the Son they preach likewise the power of Mary's intercession, devoted clients now as in their college days of her whose prophecy they help to fulfill by their unwearied teaching of her privileges: "All generations shall call me blessed." They are living examples of what a Catholic education means for our youth who in tender years are impregnated with such lively sentiments of love and confidence towards the Mother of God that time only increases their loyalty to her Divine Son and to herself.
About a year after the Sodality was organized the members visited Hamilton, Ontario, accompanied by the Very Rev. Father Rice, Fathers Shaw and Koop of the Faculty, Rev. James O'Malley, and the N. C. A. Brass Band. The objective point was the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in that city. The Index Niagarensis tells us under date of June 1, 1871: " They chartered the 'Young Lion,' one of Ontario's handsome propellers, and, leaving Lewiston
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